{"id":4342,"date":"2019-10-15T10:12:39","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T01:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4342"},"modified":"2019-10-18T12:31:57","modified_gmt":"2019-10-18T03:31:57","slug":"nk-ships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2019\/10\/recommendations\/nk-ships\/","title":{"rendered":"Fishy Business: Will Resumed Smuggling at the Chinese Border see a Return of the North Korean \u2018Ghost Ships\u2019?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The North Korean fishing boat which sank after colliding with a Japanese patrol vessel. Photographed on October 7, 2019 by the Japanese Fisheries Agency<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 Illegal fishing in Russian waters draws gunfire<\/h2>\n

On October 7, a North Korean fishing boat collided with a Japanese patrol vessel, requiring the rescue of more than 60 North Korean fishermen. The incident concluded with the safe delivery of the rescued men to another North Korean vessel.<\/p>\n

In the East Sea, North Korean fishermen catch squid during 2 seasons: the early summer period and the autumn- from September to November. The seasons ends when weather conditions in the East Sea deteriorate, with North Korean vessels having no choice but to return to harbor. These days, with the end of the season fast approaching, it is speculated that North Korean fishermen are navigating to Japan\u2019s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), as the waters are a rich fishing ground for catching squid in a hurry.<\/p>\n

North Korean fishing boats have also been observed in Russian waters, fishing illegally for squid. Since mid-September, Russian authorities have detained several North Korean vessels caught operating in Russian territory, arresting hundreds of North Korean fishermen in the process. According to the AFP, on October 2, a Russian patrol even shot at a North Korean vessel, injuring 5 North Koreans on board.<\/p>\n

Squid catching is a lucrative business, with most of a boat\u2019s catch exported to China. Due to economic sanctions, however, the country has not been able to export seafood since 2017. With fishermen unable to sell their catches, the squid industry took a major hit, leading to record low catches in late 2018 and early 2019.<\/p>\n

In mid-June, however, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited North Korea and had a change of heart. Marking a shift in policy, the crackdown on smuggling at the North Korean-Chinese border was loosened.<\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s rich fishing ground in the EEZ lies roughly 400 kilometers from North Korea\u2019s eastern shoreline. Therefore, in order to recoup the losses from the cost of fuel, the North Korean fishermen must be able to export their catches to a foreign market. With North Korean fishing boats making the lengthy journey to illegally fish in the EEZ\u2019s of Japan and Russia, it is clear that squid is once again being smuggled into China.
\nNext page : Kim Jong-un\u2019s new orders, following the disgrace of \u2018ghost ships\u2019 drifting to Japan...<\/strong><\/p>\n

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North Korean sailors rescues by the Japanese patrol vessel. Photographed on October 7, 2019, released by the 9th Regional Japanese Coast Guard Headquarters<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 Kim Jong-un\u2019s new orders, following the disgrace of \u2018ghost ships\u2019 drifting to Japan<\/h2>\n

There has been a major change since last year in the type of North Korean vessels observed in Japanese and Russian waters. Up until last year, most North Korean vessels caught in the Japanese fishing ground, the Yamato Shallows, were small wooden boats operated by 7-13 fishermen.<\/p>\n

To make money catching squid, ordinary North Korean citizens would raise money amongst themselves to build a ship, recruit a crew, and procure engines and fuel. However, \u201cpurely civilian\u201d operations are, of course, not allowed in North Korea. Therefore, fishing vessels would have to give money to powerful state institutions, such as the military, for authorization to operate as an \u2018affiliated company\u2019.<\/p>\n

Over the years, though, many of these small fishing boats were found washed up on Japanese beaches. Inside some, were found the dead bodies of North Korean sailors, leading the world\u2019s media to label the derelict boats as North Korean \u2018ghost ships\u2019.<\/p>\n

Embarrassed by these headlines, Kim Jong-un issued orders in November of last year. Small fishing boats were restricted from going out to distant fishing grounds and only fishing boats affiliated with select agencies were authorized to fish at all. The authorities also dedicated resources for a small number of rescue vessels to supervise operations. These vessels would also make sure that fishermen could not choose to flee to South Korea aboard their boats. Although there was an incident in August, in which a North Korean crewmember of a patrol boat aimed his rifle at a nearby Japanese patrol, the mission of these North Korean vessels seems limited to escorting and rescuing fishing vessels.<\/p>\n

In this most recent incident, 60 North Korean fishermen were reportedly rescued. With such a large crew, the ship was most likely operating under the direct supervision of the military or another powerful state institution. Though the vessel sank, thankfully no lives were lost. (ISHIMARU Jiro)<\/p>\n

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A North Korean fishing boat is hit by a water cannon from a Japanese patrol vessel. The North Korean ship shortly thereafter collided with the patrol vessel and sank. Photographed October 7, 2019, by the Japanese Fisheries Agency<\/p><\/div>\n

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